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two boys with surfboards next to a campervan at the coast

Surf Road Trip With a Motorhome

Imagine waking up every day on the beach and jumping into the waves at sunrise to surf. Constantly discovering new surf spots and simply travelling where the swell takes you. Travelling with a campervan gives you maximum flexibility during your surfing holiday, so you don’t miss a wave. Find everything you need to know before your first surfing road trip in a campervan or motorhome, where and when you will find good waves and great camping spots in Europe, and what there is to do besides surfing.

7 Tips For Your Surfing Holiday in a Motorhome

The biggest challenge of a surfing road trip in a campervan is the limited storage space for boards, equipment and luggage. So while you enjoy maximum freedom to catch the best waves, you’ll have to manage with limited space. To help you maximise your living space whilst on the road and get the best out of your holiday, we put together 7 tips for your surfing road trip.

1. Staying Flexible

Plan your route with the surf campsites and locations you want to visit. But remember, you will have to keep an eye on the surf forecast and be prepared to follow the swell to the best surfing spots. The beauty of travelling in a motorhome is that you can be flexible and decide to stay an extra night or spontaneously change direction and destination to a spot with better weather and surf. Stay open to changes in plans and spontaneous ideas. Often, the best experiences come from not planning everything in advance.

Insider tip: Want to check out some surfing routes in advance? Here are our tips for the best surf holiday road trip routes in Europe. Please note that you require the roadsurfer spots app to view and save the routes for later:


three surfers hugging by the sea van in the back

Germany

Surf Route Along the Baltic Sea

Discover the Baltic Sea from Timmendorfer Strand via Rügen to Ueckermünde. On the way, you can stay at a small farm near the Baltic Sea and at a western ranch.

couple sitting on a campervan by the sea

France

Surf Route on the Atlantic Ocean

Hire your campervan directly in Nantes and plunge into the waves of the Atlantic Ocean on France’s coast. Overnight highlights on this route are at a gorgeous camping spot at a château and a windmill in the vineyards.

man and woman with a campervan at a viewpoint admiring the ocean

Portugal

Surf Route From Lissabon to Aveiro

Perhaps the most beautiful coastal route in Europe with a big highlight. On this route, you will pass the historical surf spot, Nazaré, where you can watch the pros big-wave surfing.

blue campervan with pop up roof at the beach under trees

Italy

Surf Route in Puglia

On this route you travel from the Gargano National Park down to the tip of the Italian boot. You can stay at cute agriturismos on the beach or in the vineyards.

colorful campervan on a road next to the beach

Spain

Surf Route on the Costa Verde

The destination of this route is the famous Santiago de Compostela – which you will reach by surfing. Start in San Sebastian and discover a different Spain. In Galicia, you will find breathtaking beaches and many surf spots.

man putting surfboards in the back of a campervan

2. Packing Smart and Travelling Light

The surfboard alone will take up lots of space. Then there’s at least one wetsuit and some other equipment. But no matter how long your road trip is and how far you want to travel: less is more. Less (unnecessary) luggage means more quality space in your campervan!

→ Tip: Surf trip packing list

3. Camp and Surf Respectfully

With the rapidly increasing number of surfers, especially those travelling in campervans in Europe, it is very important to travel and surf respectfully and take care of nature. At some surf spots, you might come across locals who don’t always welcome newcomers or beginner surfers with open arms. If that happens, it’s a matter of staying friendly and respectful. Some surf spots are for locals only. It is important to respect this decision and remain a spectator. At all other surf spots, it is important to know the right-of-way rules of surfing in the water and also to observe them. As a camper, respectful behaviour also means not disturbing the neighbours at the campsite or littering in nature. If you park and stay overnight at a surf spot, you should leave it exactly as you found it.

wetsuit drying in the back of a campervan

4. Staying Organised

Even if you can’t wait to throw on your wetsuit and hit the waves, it’s worth taking care of and staying on top of things in the campervan. Keeping your motorhome tidy is essential for any road trip, but especially on a surf road trip. From board wax to sunscreen, leashes to surf booties, everything should have a fixed place and be within easy reach when you’re getting ready or coming out of the water. Valuables should always be stored safely or, if possible, in a locker at your surf spot.

5. Use Checklists

If you find it a bit overwhelming to stay on top of everything on your first surf road trip, a checklist will help you. Create a checklist to regularly check the gas, water and electricity supply in the campervan, always hang up your wetsuit and wet things to dry immediately after surfing and never leave a surfboard unsecured next to the campervan at night.

6. Give Support & Seek  Help

Anyone can camp alone, but not everyone should surf alone. Even experienced surfers can get into trouble in the water. If you have little experience, you should definitely seek support. For example, you can sign up for a surf camp and get a surf coach to show you spots and accompany you in the water. Alternatively, you can always team up with your neighbours at the campsite. Talk to other travellers and surfers at every opportunity. Get tips at the campsites and surf spots. Before paddling out to a spot, check the conditions, the current and the type of sea bottom (sand or rocks).

→ Tip: Learn the surfers lingo

man putting surfboards on the roof of a campervan

7. Enjoy the Journey

Happiness comes in waves, but not every day will have dream waves! There can be perfect days when you can watch the sunrise from your bed in your campervan and then surf the perfect waves. But there can also be days when the surf is flat, you haven’t showered in three days, the weather isn’t cooperating, or you feel exhausted from surfing. You can always rely on the next road trip day to bring a fresh inspiration and new waves. Say goodbye to perfectionist expectations and enjoy the ride. Hardly any other way of travelling is as flexible and as wonderful as a surfing road trip with a campervan.

Alternatives Activities For Non-Surfers on Surfing Holidays

If you’re planning a surf road trip, you’re naturally looking for the perfect waves, small or big, or beginner-friendly conditions or barrels. But what if your travel buddy doesn’t want to surf? Or what if the surf is flat for a day or two? There’s always something to do, from sightseeing to searching for unusual places to stay overnight to the daily chores that are also part of travelling with a campervan.

There are plenty of other sports or activities for those who don’t want to surf like yoga, pilates or a HIIT workout. All you need is a yoga mat and you can work out or stretch anywhere at any time.

Away from the surf spots, there are often very windy stretches of coastline that are perfect for kiters and windsurfers. If you are spontaneous and flexible, you will find the right alternative sport to surfing for every day and every travel buddy.

Find the Perfect Camper For Your Surfing Road Trip

Whether it’s the classic campervan feeling with the Surfer Suite, beach vibes with the Beach Hostel or a touch of luxury and extra space with the Road House – at roadsurfer you’ll find the perfect camper for your surf holiday.

Campervan

Surfer Suite

VW T6.1 California Ocean

  • 4 seats
  • 4 berth
  • Integrated kitchenette
  • Outdoor shower (cold)
  • Automatic pop-up roof

Campervan

Beach Hostel

VW T6.1 California Beach

  • 5 seats
  • 4+1 berth
  • Extendable kitchen unit
  • Manual pop-up roof

Campervan

Travel Home

Mercedes Marco Polo

  • 4 seats
  • 4 berth
  • Integrated kitchenette
  • Outdoor shower (cold)
  • Manual pop-up roof

Campervan

Camper Cabin Deluxe

Ford Nugget Plus

  • 5 seats
  • 4+1 berth
  • Integrated kitchenette
  • Toilet
  • Outdoor shower (cold)
  • Manual pop-up roof

Campervan

Camper Cabin

Ford Nugget

  • 5 seats
  • 4+1 berth
  • Integrated kitchenette
  • Outdoor shower (cold)
  • Manual pop-up roof

Sprinter-type campervan

Road House

Various manufacturers

  • 4 seats
  • 4 berth
  • Spacious kitchen area
  • Wet room with shower & toilet
  • Hot water
  • Manual pop-up roof

Sprinter-type campervan

Couple Cottage

Various manufacturers

  • 4 seats
  • 2 berth
  • Spacious kitchen area
  • Wet room with shower & toilet
  • Hot water

Campsites With Surfing Vibes

Soak up the surfer vibes on your campsite and exchange ideas with other enthusiastic surfers. Find private and exceptional pitches right by the ocean with the roadsurfer spots app. Some campsites also offer surfboard rental or even have a surf school. Find and book the perfect campsite for you by simply filtering by location and facilities.

→ Tip: Camping and Surfing in Europe


campervan and different sized surfboards

Surf Spots in France

blue campervan with open trunk and surfboards

Surf Spots in Spain

man sitting on top of a yellow campervan

Surf Spots in Portugal

Save 10% On Your Camping Spots With the Campfire Card

Save 10% on all your campsite and pitch bookings via roadsurfer spots app or online all year round with the campfire card for a one-time payment of €14.99. Use your campfire card for your own trips or gift someone a new adventure!

Buy Now

roadsurfer spots campfire card, 10% discount on campsites